Accordingly, ACP opposes government restrictions that would erode or abrogate a woman’s right to continue or discontinue a pregnancy. Moreover, this law jeopardizes women’s access to lawful, comprehensive care.”ĪCP believes in respect for the principle of patient autonomy on matters affecting their individual health and reproductive decision-making rights, including about types of contraceptive methods they use and whether or not to continue a pregnancy as defined by existing constitutional law.

This new law will endanger health by not only criminalizing physicians who perform necessary medical care, but by allowing private citizens with no medical training or expertise to insert themselves on women’s reproductive health decisions. The person bringing the lawsuit is entitled to at least $10,000 in damages if they prevail in court.ĪCP issued a press statement and joint statement with other allied organizations “opposing any laws and regulations that interfere in the confidential relationship between a patient and his/her physician. The law does not make exceptions for rape or incest. Abortion patients themselves, however, cannot be sued.

The law, the most restrictive abortion law in the U.S., prohibits abortions after the presence of a fetal heartbeat is detected, which can occur as early as six weeks after a woman becomes pregnant, and only makes exceptions for medical emergencies. It allows any private citizen to sue Texas abortion “providers” who violate the law, as well as anyone who “aids or abets” a woman getting the procedure. 8, known as the “ Texas Heartbeat Act” allowing the law to take effect. On September 1, 2021, the U.S. Supreme Court (5-4) declined an emergency petition to block the Texas abortion law SB.

Fetal heartbeat act